Someone must have paid a pretty penny to have Q-magazine to lie and bring their metascore down. This is truely a one band in a million's masterpiece. If you spread the songs out over ten different albums with a bunch of filler (ala major label spin), ever one of these songs would be a hit single. The Wrens deserves so much more respect and praise.

I recently ranked my top 70 LPs of the 'modern rock' era (1977-present) for a friend to peruse... 'Meadowlands' I listed at No. 3, if only because I thought being out less than a year I couldn't place it No. 1... I am however fairly sure this album will hold up to the test of time... it kicks my a** and gives me goosebumps with each and every listen

you gotta be kidding, right? where's the filler?? I've been conditioned through years of industry abuse to tune out at least half of an albums songs. but now I have to maintain rapt attention for all 56 minutes?

Best album of the year! "The Meadowlands" is like "Almost Famous" ten years after the band didn't live up to their hype recast with casualties of the post Nirvana indie flood. Beautiful and heart breaking. Like "All That You Can't Leave Behind" for people that cherrish Pavement over R.E.M.

An obvious instant-classic, put it in the indie rock cannon next to Slanted and Enchanted, I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One, and White Blood Cells. One of those records that reminds you why you're a rock geek.

I've heard of the wrens on a sampler Cd I bouth in '96. Thoose two songs have left such a big impression for me to track them down today. I beleive that they are on of the best band I have heard. "Good rainy day music that will put you in a good mood."

"Everybody Chooses Sides" may well be the best f**kin' ROCK song written in the past decade. A mixture--without being at derivative--of The Clash, The Godfathers and supersonic The Wrens. Believe me: it takes off like a three-stage rocket and propels you into the stratosphere. And, better yet, it is but one of MANY great songs on this CD. ("She Sends Kisses" & "This Boys Exhausted" "Everybody Chooses Sides" may well be the best f**kin' ROCK song written in the past decade. A mixture--without being at derivative--of The Clash, The Godfathers and supersonic The Wrens. Believe me: it takes off like a three-stage rocket and propels you into the stratosphere. And, better yet, it is but one of MANY great songs on this CD. ("She Sends Kisses" & "This Boys Exhausted" to name but two others). Don't be fooled by the jaded fools and never-ending s**tstream of failed-at-rock poseurs who (a) think that anything that sells is garbage, (b) can't do and so endlessly criticize, and (c) can do, are needlessly envious or bitter, and cannot stand any competition. "Meadowlands" is superlative, and the best $$$ I've spent on a CD in ages. The rockers rock, and the slower tempo songs are equally intriguing. …Expand

Simply put: the best album of 2003. I listened to it, literally, ten times in a row; just in awe of how wounded, fresh, and dynamic this album is. This is a must have for anyone who has a grasp of the human condition.

I think the Wrens are the only band where I can't decide which of their albums is my favorite one. They're all brilliant in their own way. The Meadowlands had a lot to live up to for me, as Secaucus and Silver are two of my favorite albums ever. It definitely succeeded. That it's done from sort of a different approach than their previous full-lengths makes it all the more I think the Wrens are the only band where I can't decide which of their albums is my favorite one. They're all brilliant in their own way. The Meadowlands had a lot to live up to for me, as Secaucus and Silver are two of my favorite albums ever. It definitely succeeded. That it's done from sort of a different approach than their previous full-lengths makes it all the more impressive. Like their previous records, I can't stop listening to it. The fact that these guys still aren't one of the more renowned indie rock bands around is a fucking crime. …Expand

I thought I was going to make a mix-tape for a girl I'm trying to impress. Y'know include stuff from a whole bunch of my favorite bands. Broken Social Scene, The Junior Boys, The Walkmen, The Olivia Tremor Control; keep out the weird stuff but make sure its songs she's never heard before etc. But, now, at 1:56 in the morning and on the second straight listen through of the I thought I was going to make a mix-tape for a girl I'm trying to impress. Y'know include stuff from a whole bunch of my favorite bands. Broken Social Scene, The Junior Boys, The Walkmen, The Olivia Tremor Control; keep out the weird stuff but make sure its songs she's never heard before etc. But, now, at 1:56 in the morning and on the second straight listen through of the Medowlands I think maybe I'll just give her this and let her be blown away by it... but really this would make a better brake-up album, these guys sound so disenchanted. So I'll probably put 'She sends kisses' in it and end with '13 months 6 minutes' and hope for the best.…Expand

A great, great, great album. An amazing collection of songs that are much greater collectively than individually, the utter antithesis of most single-driven alt rock. An album you will listen to again and again, miss when it's not playing, try to convince your friends to buy, and dream of at night. My absolute favorite album since Wilco's yankee hotel foxtrot. Listen to it now. A great, great, great album. An amazing collection of songs that are much greater collectively than individually, the utter antithesis of most single-driven alt rock. An album you will listen to again and again, miss when it's not playing, try to convince your friends to buy, and dream of at night. My absolute favorite album since Wilco's yankee hotel foxtrot. Listen to it now. Right now!!!…Expand

It's just an incredible album. I know I am only repeating what masses of people have said before me, but having discovered the Meadowlands album only just prior to X-mas 2006, I just can't stop playing it. There are so many totally overwhelming tunes on it, and whereas I one day can be totally in love with "She sends kisses" (which, although there's too many brilliant songs It's just an incredible album. I know I am only repeating what masses of people have said before me, but having discovered the Meadowlands album only just prior to X-mas 2006, I just can't stop playing it. There are so many totally overwhelming tunes on it, and whereas I one day can be totally in love with "She sends kisses" (which, although there's too many brilliant songs to single out one in particular, I after all must say is probably THE greatest song on this fantastic record), I can find myself in awe over "13 months in 6 minutes" the next day. Or be passionate to "Hopeless". Or indeed just chill to the tunes of "Boys, you wont". Thank you for sharing this with the world, Wrens lads.…Expand

Just fantastic. Right off the melodies and chords of this album is pleasing, but you can listen more and more and realize how genious the lyrics and every other aspect of the album are. This is my favorite ever.

Wow. It feels like receiving a precious gift to discover an album like this. Never heard of the Wrens before but gave it a try after reading all the user comments at metacritic. three months later and I am still overwhelmed by the pure quality and originallity of the music. Every song has great in- and outro's and unbelievably sticky melodies. Still, the diversity is great. All songs Wow. It feels like receiving a precious gift to discover an album like this. Never heard of the Wrens before but gave it a try after reading all the user comments at metacritic. three months later and I am still overwhelmed by the pure quality and originallity of the music. Every song has great in- and outro's and unbelievably sticky melodies. Still, the diversity is great. All songs add something to the whole instead of repeating another. Not being able to get the tunes out of my head is probably the only negativity I can think of with this masterpiece. Can''t wait for the Wrens to bring out the next. Give it a try, at least 5 times and you'll be sold completely. Enjoy!…Expand

The songwriting on this album is a cut above anything that i've heard released all year. This disc has a beauty and power that few bands can pull off. I first listened to this CD with headphones on and found myself completely lost in the music by the second song.....amazing.

This is one of my favorite cd's of all time. It is one of the cd's that I listen to atleast once a week. Each song on this disc has a special place in my heart. They are also an incredible live act (if you get a chance to see them).

Highly recommended. This album is basically for everyone that likes a good melody, not just indie rockers or pseudo hipsters. This is a band that should be selling out much larger venues than shite nu-metal and "the vines-esque" bands are.

Apart from visions of the jesus and mary chain through their music, the wrens are building on a fine, personal stylished indie/shoegazing sound. the music is beautiful and it feels like they play it with such ease. Great effort!

What with the Shins, The Stills and The Wrens its almost like pop has found a second wind. This album is essential (except for This Boy Is Exhausted which is disposable nu-metal rubbish) and almost brings me to tears with each listen.

Listening to this knowing nothing of their previous work, each song was pleasantly surprising to say the least and by the end of it the only thing I wanted to do was play it over again. And again. This album hits a spot on the musical spectrum I always knew existed but never really thought I'd hear. Beautiful.

These guys ought to break with this cd, but probably won't and that sucks. I say re-Release it until people wake up. In the meantime, (note to the wrens) Please keep evolving. I love where you are going. oh, and i love this cd.

This is an excellent album. Understated yet complex, its whispery brand of indie rock breathes maturity into a youth-driven realm with bleary-eyed hopeful melodies and tales of life's disapointments. Its lesson is that the strugges are ubiquitous, but the small intermittent comforts we get out of life are what make it all worth it.

This one CD has been a wonderful insight into the vision and spirit of the Wrens. It shows a real creative progression. The tempo is unpredictable and ultimately very satisfying. I can't wait for the next one.

This is a good album but there are lots of better indie rock albums that have much lower scores. I'd be interested to see what their score would be like if there were more reviews. Faster Gun kicks ass.

I had never heard of Wrens before and this is not the type of music I usually would expect to like, given that it is (for want of a better description) straightforward bar-band type rock'n'roll with just guitar, bass, drums, vocals and no real sparkly guitar riffs/melodies/solos. It is quite dark and chordy. I usually prefer psychedelic, "creative", bright melodic stuff like I had never heard of Wrens before and this is not the type of music I usually would expect to like, given that it is (for want of a better description) straightforward bar-band type rock'n'roll with just guitar, bass, drums, vocals and no real sparkly guitar riffs/melodies/solos. It is quite dark and chordy. I usually prefer psychedelic, "creative", bright melodic stuff like Super Furry Animals, Of Montreal. "This boy is exhausted" was the only song to really attract me on first listen. After about 4 listens, though I began to love all of the songs. The song structures really seep through and the depth and melodies are really beautiful and the singing is great and passionate. Its my favourite album of 2006 along with Destroyer and Midlake and Final Fantasy.…Expand

Not bad ... most of the songs drag it out a bit too long, which isn't helped by the plodding tempos, even on the "rock" songs like Everyone Chooses Sides -- sort of a poor man's Urge Overkill. The acoustic songs are better, but nothing about the playing is going to grab you.

I thought indie was dead and buried. Sadly... it's not! This CD mainly contains a sickening mix of immature ballads and nerdy skaterboi-up-tempo tracks; obviously made to please pubertile 14 yos with an issue...

With about twenty killer lines or couplets per song, unexpected hooks coming from everywhere and one of the most ingenious track sequences of the year, it’s not really so hard to imagine what The Wrens have been doing all this time.

With all four members taking the mic, cohesion should hardly be expected. Yet, for all the different styles the band employs on this album, all but the closing number seem indelibly stamped as this band's work, uniquely The Wrens.